Book Borrowed In 1970 Finally Returned To Ocean City Library

OCEAN CITY, NJ — It must've been a good book. A reader returned a text to the Ocean City Free Public Library that he or she borrowed in 1970 — 49 years overdue.

The copy featured a note that said the following:

"Hello, I found this book in a box in my attic. I believe I may have checked this book out in 1970. I am sorry I have had it so long."

Librarian Shannon E. Belden didn't get to see who returned the book. It was brought to her after it was returned to the circulation desk. Belden, also OCFPL's social media manager, knew it would make a good post.

Luckily for the borrower, OCFPL will not institute an overdue fine.

"This overdue? We’re just surprised to get the book back!" Belden told Patch. "We just laugh and thank them for returning it and also for giving us a good story to tell."

The OCFPL has changed in several ways since 1970. The library moved to its current location in 1990, according to Belden. The book was 20 years overdue by then. It was most likely marked as missing and eventually weeded from library records, Belden said.

The book was "The Journey to the East," a 1932 novel by German author Herman Hesse. This particular copy isn't available for checkout, but you can still find the novel at the library.

"It has a bit of damage so it is unlikely that it will be added to our collection," Belden said. "We have another copy of this title available though, same edition."

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